Ian Colin James
More Tricks for Trout
Half Day Seminar
Morning (9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.)
or Afternoon (1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
Ian is one of North America’s top fly-fishing guides and fly-tying instructors, combining down-to-earth methods with razor-sharp, Scottish wit. For 27 years, Ian’s “no-bull” approach to fly-fishing has helped folks learn how to: cast, find fish and catch the fish they find.
Ian was the first guide on the Grand River. He is now the first in Canada to teach an accredited flyfishing course: at Fanshawe College in London. Ian’s flies are sold worldwide and several of his original patterns are in the Orvis catalogue. “Ian’s patterns are some of the most innovative, impressive, best-selling flies for freshwater species we at Orvis have had the pleasure to sell, which is remarkable as he is colour-blind and his fingers are the size of sausages,” says Orvis’ Shawn Brillon.
Almost 20 years ago, Ian created the original “Tricks for Trout.” The premise behind “Tricks” was simple: teach someone how to tie very effective flies using easy-to-find, inexpensive materials, and then give them a bunch of fish catching pointers on how to fish the flies. Ian’s idea soon caught on with other instructors. Today, this format can be found across Canada.
“More Tricks for Trout” will offer step-by-step instruction on how to tie and fish a collection of productive patterns that work across Ontario in stillwaters and in rivers. The 2010 Symposium will be the first time that Ian’s Epoxy Cz Nymph will be made available to the public. This pattern is featured along with several more of Ian’s flies in Volume 3 of the prestigious book series “Flytyers of the World,” by Steve Thornton. If you’ve attended one of Ian’s sessions in the past, you know that he’s likely to demo one or two bonus flies that aren’t listed in the program. Don’t miss this unique opportunity.
| William Gerrard and the WHFFC Tyers Team
Beginner’s Fly Tying Class
All Day Seminar
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
William has been tying flies for almost 25 years and has chaired the Fly Tying Symposium for the last seven years. His approach to tying is straightforward: “It's technique and practice, not talent, that make a fly tyer. Anyone can learn how to tie flies.”
Why learn to tie your own flies when you can buy them? For starters, it will take your fishing experience to an entirely new level. You’ll understand more about the natural world as you begin to recognize the creatures fish eat and how to imitate them. In other words, you’ll learn how to catch more fish. Your fishing season won’t end in the fall – it will extend through the winter as you tie flies for next year. You’ll never despair if today’s hot pattern is out of stock at the local fly shop. Finally, the best reason: catching a fish on a fly you’ve tied yourself is an unforgettable experience − one that you just can’t buy.
Based on his experience leading fly tying courses for all ages, William has devised a program for beginners that takes the “mystery” out of fly-tying. By the end of this one-day class, you should have an understanding of what makes a good fly and feel comfortable working with a variety of materials.
Coaching by an experienced instructor will help you acquire good tying skills quickly. Having someone looking over your shoulder guiding you is something you can’t get from a book or video. A team of well-qualified Assistant Instructors supports William in the Beginners Class. Together, they'll make sure you get the coaching you need. At the end of the day, you should have a set of flies you’ve tied yourself: sure-fire patterns you can use to catch a broad range of Ontario fish.
As a bonus, if you sign up for the Beginners Fly Tying Class, you get a one year free membership in Winter Hatches Fly Fishing Club.
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